The Glory of Dugdheshvara (Dadhichi's Tirtha)

Verse 1 (padma.6.155.1)

महादेव उवाच। खड्गधाराद्दक्षिणतस्तीर्थं परमपावनम् । दुग्धेश्वरमिति प्रोक्तं सर्वपापप्रणाशनम्

mahādeva uvāca khaḍgadhārāddakṣiṇatastīrthaṃ paramapāvanam dugdheśvaramiti proktaṃ sarvapāpapraṇāśanam

Mahadeva said: South of Khadgadhara is a most purifying tirtha, called Dugdheshvara, the destroyer of all sin.

Verse 2 (padma.6.155.2)

यस्मिंस्तीर्थे नरः स्नात्वा दृष्ट्वा दुग्धेश्वरं हरम् । पुमान्सद्यो विमुच्येत दुःखात्पापसमुद्भवात्

yasmiṃstīrthe naraḥ snātvā dṛṣṭvā dugdheśvaraṃ haram pumānsadyo vimucyeta duḥkhātpāpasamudbhavāt

Whatever man bathes at that tirtha and beholds Hara as Dugdheshvara is instantly freed from sorrow born of sin.

Verse 3 (padma.6.155.3)

दधीचिना तपस्तप्तं साभ्रमत्यास्तटे शुभे । चन्द्रभागा महत्पुण्यं गंगाया संगता यतः

dadhīcinā tapastaptaṃ sābhramatyāstaṭe śubhe candrabhāgā mahatpuṇyaṃ gaṃgāyā saṃgatā yataḥ

There, on the auspicious bank of the Sabarmati, Dadhichi performed austerity -- where the greatly sacred Chandrabhaga joins with the Ganga.

Verse 4 (padma.6.155.4)

तत्र स्नानं च दानं जपः पूजा तपस्तथा । सर्वमक्षयतां याति दुग्धतीर्थप्रभावतः

tatra snānaṃ ca dānaṃ japaḥ pūjā tapastathā sarvamakṣayatāṃ yāti dugdhatīrthaprabhāvataḥ

There, bathing, gift-giving, recitation, worship, and austerity -- all become imperishable through the power of the Dugdha-tirtha.

Verse 5 (padma.6.155.5)

पार्वत्युवाच। दुग्धेश्वरसमुत्पत्तिं श्रोतुमिच्छामि वै प्रभो । महिमा दुग्धतीर्थस्य कथ्यतां च सुरेश्वर

pārvatyuvāca dugdheśvarasamutpattiṃ śrotumicchāmi vai prabho mahimā dugdhatīrthasya kathyatāṃ ca sureśvara

Parvati said: I wish to hear, O lord, of the origin of Dugdheshvara. Tell me the glory of the Dugdha-tirtha, O lord of the gods.

Verse 6 (padma.6.155.6)

महादेव उवाच। पुरा देवासुरे युद्धे दैत्यैर्देवाः पराजिताः । पलायनपरा भूत्वा दधीचाश्रममागताः

mahādeva uvāca purā devāsure yuddhe daityairdevāḥ parājitāḥ palāyanaparā bhūtvā dadhīcāśramamāgatāḥ

Mahadeva said: Formerly, in the war between gods and demons, the gods were defeated by the demons; and, turning to flight, they came to the hermitage of Dadhichi.

Verse 7 (padma.6.155.7)

मुक्त्वा तत्रायुधान्येव गता देवा दिशो दश । पश्चात्कोलाहलं श्रुत्वा दधीचो दैत्यसंभवम्

muktvā tatrāyudhānyeva gatā devā diśo daśa paścātkolāhalaṃ śrutvā dadhīco daityasaṃbhavam

Leaving their weapons there, the gods scattered to the ten directions. Afterwards, hearing the tumult raised by the demons, Dadhichi,

Verse 8 (padma.6.155.8)

पीतवांस्तानि शस्त्राणि जलेनाप्लाय्य भार्गवः । कालेन ते सुराः सर्वे अस्त्राण्यादातुमुत्सुकाः

pītavāṃstāni śastrāṇi jalenāplāyya bhārgavaḥ kālena te surāḥ sarve astrāṇyādātumutsukāḥ

that descendant of Bhrigu, drenched those weapons with water and swallowed them. In time all the gods grew eager to reclaim their weapons.

Verse 9 (padma.6.155.9)

गुरुणा सहिताः सर्वे परस्परमुदान्विताः । नकुलैः सह सर्पाश्च क्रीडंते ते परस्परम्

guruṇā sahitāḥ sarve parasparamudānvitāḥ nakulaiḥ saha sarpāśca krīḍaṃte te parasparam

All of them, together with their guru, filled with mutual joy, came there -- and there, mongooses and serpents were seen playing together, one with another.

Verse 10 (padma.6.155.10)

एवंविधान्यनेकानि साश्चर्याणि तदाश्रमे । पश्यंतो विबुधाः सर्वे विस्मयं परमं गताः

evaṃvidhānyanekāni sāścaryāṇi tadāśrame paśyaṃto vibudhāḥ sarve vismayaṃ paramaṃ gatāḥ

Seeing many such wonders of this kind in that hermitage, all the wise gods were filled with the greatest astonishment.

Verse 11 (padma.6.155.11)

ददृशुस्ते मुनिवरं आसनोपरिसंस्थितम् । यत्र साभ्रमती पुण्या मिलिता चंद्रभागया

dadṛśuste munivaraṃ āsanoparisaṃsthitam yatra sābhramatī puṇyā militā caṃdrabhāgayā

They beheld that foremost of sages, seated upon his seat, at the place where the sacred Sabarmati joins with the Chandrabhaga,

Verse 12 (padma.6.155.12)

वर्चसा परमेणैव भ्राजमानं यथा रविम् । विभावसु द्वितीयं च सुवर्चा भार्यया सह

varcasā parameṇaiva bhrājamānaṃ yathā ravim vibhāvasu dvitīyaṃ ca suvarcā bhāryayā saha

blazing with the highest splendor, like the sun -- a second Fire itself, together with his wife Suvarcha,

Verse 13 (padma.6.155.13)

यथा ब्रह्माहि सावित्र्या तथाऽसौ मुनिसत्तमः । दृष्टः सुरवरैः सर्वैः प्रणिपातपुरःसरम्

yathā brahmāhi sāvitryā tathā'sau munisattamaḥ dṛṣṭaḥ suravaraiḥ sarvaiḥ praṇipātapuraḥsaram

as Brahma appears with Savitri -- so was that foremost of sages beheld by all the excellent gods, who then bowed low before him.

Verse 14 (padma.6.155.14)

ऊचिरे तं तदा देवा बृहस्पतिपुरोगमाः । त्वं दाता त्रिषु लोकेषु विदितः पूर्वमेव च

ūcire taṃ tadā devā bṛhaspatipurogamāḥ tvaṃ dātā triṣu lokeṣu viditaḥ pūrvameva ca

The gods, led by Brihaspati, then said to him: 'You are known throughout the three worlds, even from before, as a great giver.'

Verse 15 (padma.6.155.15)

याच्ञार्थं च वयं सर्वे त्वत्सकाशं समागताः । भयभीता वयं सर्वेऽस्त्राणि नोदातु मर्हसि

yācñārthaṃ ca vayaṃ sarve tvatsakāśaṃ samāgatāḥ bhayabhītā vayaṃ sarve'strāṇi nodātu marhasi

'We have all come into your presence to make a request. We are all struck with fear -- you should give us back our weapons.'

Verse 16 (padma.6.155.16)

इत्युक्तो मुनिवर्योऽसौ देवानाह महामतिः । पीतानि तानि भो देवा जलेनाप्लाव्य मंत्रतः

ityukto munivaryo'sau devānāha mahāmatiḥ pītāni tāni bho devā jalenāplāvya maṃtrataḥ

Thus addressed, that foremost of sages, of great wisdom, said to the gods: 'O gods, those weapons, drenched with water and consecrated by mantra, have been swallowed by me.'

Verse 17 (padma.6.155.17)

ततो देवाब्रुवन्विप्रं दैत्यानां निधनाय च । देह्यस्थीनि त्वरा विप्र दत्तानीति द्विजोऽवदत्

tato devābruvanvipraṃ daityānāṃ nidhanāya ca dehyasthīni tvarā vipra dattānīti dvijo'vadat

Then the gods said to that brahmin: 'For the destruction of the demons, give us your bones quickly, O brahmin.' The twice-born one said, 'They are given.'

Verse 18 (padma.6.155.18)

इत्युक्त्वा तान्स्वपत्नीं स प्रेषयामास चाश्रमम् । तदोवाच द्विजो हृष्टो देवान्स्मित्वा महामतिः

ityuktvā tānsvapatnīṃ sa preṣayāmāsa cāśramam tadovāca dvijo hṛṣṭo devānsmitvā mahāmatiḥ

Having said this to them, he sent his own wife into the hermitage. Then that great-minded brahmin, delighted, smiling, said to the gods:

Verse 19 (padma.6.155.19)

पीतानि तानि भो देवा गृह्णीध्वं च यथातथम् । इत्युक्त्वा च द्विजो देवि योगमास्थाय योगवित्

pītāni tāni bho devā gṛhṇīdhvaṃ ca yathātatham ityuktvā ca dvijo devi yogamāsthāya yogavit

'O gods, those weapons that I swallowed -- take them just as they are.' Having said this, O goddess, that brahmin, a knower of yoga, took up the practice of yoga.

Verse 20 (padma.6.155.20)

ततोब्रुवन्सुरा विप्रं स्मयं तं छलया गिरा । त्वयि जीवति भो ब्रह्मन्कुतोस्थीनि लभामहे

tatobruvansurā vipraṃ smayaṃ taṃ chalayā girā tvayi jīvati bho brahmankutosthīni labhāmahe

Then the gods, in wonder, said to that brahmin, with somewhat guileful words: 'O brahmin, while you are alive, from where shall we get your bones?'

Verse 21 (padma.6.155.21)

प्रहस्योवाच विप्रर्षिस्तिष्ठध्वं क्षणमेकतः । स्वयमेव च भो देवास्त्यक्ष्याम्यद्य कलेवरम्

prahasyovāca viprarṣistiṣṭhadhvaṃ kṣaṇamekataḥ svayameva ca bho devāstyakṣyāmyadya kalevaram

The sage-brahmin, laughing, said: 'Wait a single moment together. I myself, O gods, shall this day give up my body.'

Verse 22 (padma.6.155.22)

इत्युक्त्वा स द्विजो देवि योगमास्थाय योगवित् । ब्रह्मलोकं गतः सद्यो यतो नावर्त्तते पुनः

ityuktvā sa dvijo devi yogamāsthāya yogavit brahmalokaṃ gataḥ sadyo yato nāvarttate punaḥ

Having said this, O goddess, that brahmin, a knower of yoga, took up the practice of yoga, and at once went to the world of Brahma, from which one does not return again.

Verse 23 (padma.6.155.23)

ततः सर्वे सुरास्तत्र दृष्ट्वा तं विलयं गतम् । चिंतयंतः सुरगणाः कथं च विशसामहे

tataḥ sarve surāstatra dṛṣṭvā taṃ vilayaṃ gatam ciṃtayaṃtaḥ suragaṇāḥ kathaṃ ca viśasāmahe

Then, all the gods, having seen him thus pass into dissolution, the hosts of gods began to worry: 'How shall we now dismember him?'

Verse 24 (padma.6.155.24)

सुरभिं चाह्वयामास तामुवाच शचीपतिः । कलेवरं द्विजेंद्रस्य लिह त्वं वचसा मम

surabhiṃ cāhvayāmāsa tāmuvāca śacīpatiḥ kalevaraṃ dvijeṃdrasya liha tvaṃ vacasā mama

Indra, the lord of Shachi, called upon Surabhi and said to her: 'At my word, lick this body of the foremost of the twice-born.'

Verse 25 (padma.6.155.25)

तथेति च वचो मत्वा तत्क्षणादेव लिह्य तत् । निर्मांसं च कृतं सद्यस्तया धेन्वा कलेवरम्

tatheti ca vaco matvā tatkṣaṇādeva lihya tat nirmāṃsaṃ ca kṛtaṃ sadyastayā dhenvā kalevaram

'So be it,' accepting his word, that very instant she licked it, and by that cow the body was at once made free of flesh.

Verse 26 (padma.6.155.26)

जगृहुस्तानि चास्थीनि चक्रुः शस्त्राणि वै सुराः । तस्य वंशोद्भवं त्वस्त्रमासीद्ब्रह्मशिरस्तथा

jagṛhustāni cāsthīni cakruḥ śastrāṇi vai surāḥ tasya vaṃśodbhavaṃ tvastramāsīdbrahmaśirastathā

The gods then took up those bones and fashioned their weapons from them; and from his spine there came the weapon called Brahmashiras.

Verse 27 (padma.6.155.27)

शस्त्राण्यस्त्राणि कृत्वा ते महाबलपराक्रमाः । ययुर्देवास्त्वरा युक्ता वृत्रघातनतत्पराः

śastrāṇyastrāṇi kṛtvā te mahābalaparākramāḥ yayurdevāstvarā yuktā vṛtraghātanatatparāḥ

Having fashioned those weapons of great might and valor, the gods, filled with haste, set out, intent upon the slaying of Vritra.

Verse 28 (padma.6.155.28)

ततः सुवर्चा तु दधीचपत्नी संप्रेषिता या सुरकार्यसिद्धये । विलोकयामास समेत्य तत्र मृतं पतिं देहमथो विशस्तम्

tataḥ suvarcā tu dadhīcapatnī saṃpreṣitā yā surakāryasiddhaye vilokayāmāsa sametya tatra mṛtaṃ patiṃ dehamatho viśastam

Then Suvarcha, Dadhichi's wife, who had been sent away for the accomplishment of the gods' task, came there and beheld her husband's body -- dead, and moreover dismembered.

Verse 29 (padma.6.155.29)

ज्ञात्वा तु तत्सर्वमथो सुराणां कृत्यं तदानीं च चुकोप साध्वी । ददौ तदा शापमतीव रुष्टा तदा सुवर्चा ऋषिवर्यपत्नी

jñātvā tu tatsarvamatho surāṇāṃ kṛtyaṃ tadānīṃ ca cukopa sādhvī dadau tadā śāpamatīva ruṣṭā tadā suvarcā ṛṣivaryapatnī

Learning of all that the gods had done, that virtuous woman then became enraged; exceedingly wrathful, Suvarcha, the wife of that foremost of sages, then pronounced a curse.

Verse 30 (padma.6.155.30)

अहो सुरा दुष्टतराश्च सर्वे ह्यनेकशप्ताश्च तथैव लुब्धाः । तस्मात्तु सर्वे ह्यप्रजा भवंतु सेंद्रा सुराद्यप्रभृतीत्युवाच

aho surā duṣṭatarāśca sarve hyanekaśaptāśca tathaiva lubdhāḥ tasmāttu sarve hyaprajā bhavaṃtu seṃdrā surādyaprabhṛtītyuvāca

'Ah, the gods -- all of them are utterly wicked, deserving of curses many times over, and greedy alike! Therefore, from this day on, may all of you, together with Indra, be without offspring!' -- so she said.

Verse 31 (padma.6.155.31)

एवं शापं ददौ तेषां सुराणां सा तपस्विनी । उपविश्याश्वत्थमूले साभ्रमत्यास्तटे स्थिता

evaṃ śāpaṃ dadau teṣāṃ surāṇāṃ sā tapasvinī upaviśyāśvatthamūle sābhramatyāstaṭe sthitā

Thus that ascetic woman gave that curse to the gods. Then, seated at the foot of an ashvattha tree on the bank of the Sabarmati,

Verse 32 (padma.6.155.32)

सगर्भा सा सती साध्वी स्वोदरं विददार ह । निर्गतो जठराद्गर्भो दधीचस्य महात्मनः

sagarbhā sā satī sādhvī svodaraṃ vidadāra ha nirgato jaṭharādgarbho dadhīcasya mahātmanaḥ

she, being pregnant, that faithful and virtuous woman, tore open her own womb; and from that womb came forth the child of the great-souled Dadhichi.

Verse 33 (padma.6.155.33)

साक्षाद्रुद्रावतारोऽसौ पिप्पलादो महाप्रभुः । प्रहस्य जननी गर्भं उवाच वचनं महत्

sākṣādrudrāvatāro'sau pippalādo mahāprabhuḥ prahasya jananī garbhaṃ uvāca vacanaṃ mahat

That child was none other than an incarnation of Rudra himself, the great lord Pippalada. Smiling, his mother spoke a great word over the child:

Verse 34 (padma.6.155.34)

सुवर्चा तं पिप्पलादं चिरं तिष्ठास्य सन्निधौ । अश्वत्थस्य महाभाग सर्वेषां शुभदो भव

suvarcā taṃ pippalādaṃ ciraṃ tiṣṭhāsya sannidhau aśvatthasya mahābhāga sarveṣāṃ śubhado bhava

'O Pippalada, remain here for a long time in the presence of this ashvattha tree, O most fortunate one, and become a bestower of good fortune to all.'

Verse 35 (padma.6.155.35)

तथैव भाषमाणा सा सुवर्चा तनयं प्रति । पतिं प्रत्यगमत्साध्वी परमेन समाधिना

tathaiva bhāṣamāṇā sā suvarcā tanayaṃ prati patiṃ pratyagamatsādhvī paramena samādhinā

Having spoken thus to her son, that virtuous Suvarcha then went to join her husband, with the deepest composure of mind.

Verse 36 (padma.6.155.36)

एवं दधीचपत्नी सा पतिना स्वर्गमास्थिता । ते देवाः कृतशस्त्रास्त्र दैत्यान्प्रति समुत्सुकाः

evaṃ dadhīcapatnī sā patinā svargamāsthitā te devāḥ kṛtaśastrāstra daityānprati samutsukāḥ

Thus Dadhichi's wife took her place in heaven together with her husband. And those gods, their weapons now fashioned, were eager to go against the demons.

Verse 37 (padma.6.155.37)

आजग्मुश्चेंद्रमुख्याश्च महाबलपराक्रमाः । कामधेनुः प्रसुस्राव ययौ यत्र द्विजः क्षयम्

ājagmuśceṃdramukhyāśca mahābalaparākramāḥ kāmadhenuḥ prasusrāva yayau yatra dvijaḥ kṣayam

The gods, headed by Indra, of great might and valor, came there; and Kamadhenu let flow her milk at the very spot where the brahmin had passed away.

Verse 38 (padma.6.155.38)

मुनेः प्रभावतो दुग्धं लिंगरूपं व्यजायत । दुग्धेश्वरमिति ख्यातं देवि साभ्रमती तटे

muneḥ prabhāvato dugdhaṃ liṃgarūpaṃ vyajāyata dugdheśvaramiti khyātaṃ devi sābhramatī taṭe

Through the sage's power, that milk took on the form of a linga. O goddess, it became known as Dugdheshvara, on the bank of the Sabarmati.

Verse 39 (padma.6.155.39)

तदा प्रभृति तीर्थं हि तन्नाम्ना प्रथितं भुवि । अतुलं यस्य माहात्म्यं श्रवणात्पातकापहम्

tadā prabhṛti tīrthaṃ hi tannāmnā prathitaṃ bhuvi atulaṃ yasya māhātmyaṃ śravaṇātpātakāpaham

From that time this tirtha became renowned on earth by that name -- its glory unequalled, removing sin by the mere hearing of it.

Verse 40 (padma.6.155.40)

ये शृण्वंति नरा भक्त्या दुग्धेश्वरसमुद्भवम् । तेऽपि पापविनिर्मुक्ता यांति रुद्रपदं महत्

ye śṛṇvaṃti narā bhaktyā dugdheśvarasamudbhavam te'pi pāpavinirmuktā yāṃti rudrapadaṃ mahat

Those men who hear with devotion of the origin of Dugdheshvara are likewise freed of sin, and attain the great state of Rudra.